I think it’s partly slow ball movement too. As Saka showed in the first game, if you get him the ball with a bit of space to work with he’s got the goods. But when the ball moves ponderously through the midfield and the defense is set it’s more difficult.
Belgium certainly didnt look as good as you'd expect. But that is what happens when your stars are aging and the younger generation are still finding their feet. Portugal are in the same situation - relying on Ronaldo for so many years and now he's aging they are arent as sharp as they want to be.
Slovenia take Portugal to extra time, Ronaldo looks knackered. He'll want to make it to the 120 mark for the pen shoot out but in all seriousness neither keeper has been really tested.
Slovenia going through would have been amazing but Spain-Germany and France-Portugal on Saturday morning, those are the kind of ties you want to see at a major tournament.
Ronaldo own goal to win it for France and more tears would be delightful.
It was classic earlier in group on a podcast where they spent five minutes or actually maybe more of ‘analysis’ which was them saying OMG Ronaldo passed the ball to Fernandes in a variety of different ways. Followed by a ‘Do you think…?’
Then someone found a stat that Ronaldo now had the record for assists in the Euros and normal service was resumed. It wasn’t altruism or generosity after all.
Switzerland are an interesting team. Schaar and Akanji has to be the equal of any CB pairing and Xhaka has been that midfield boss that England crave. The way the Germans celebrated the late equaliser against them speaks volumes. And Shaqiri is there, in case of emergency break glass, having already scored a goal of the highest quality…
Can this England team bluff their way past them? Foden is very due. Bellingham and Kane at least have scored a couple. Will Toney start? You can at least say England are an unpredictable team with a squad capable of playing any number of ways. They had 4 or 5 different formations in the last game alone.
Sport | Date/Time | Channel UEFA EURO 2024 – Round of 16 – Romania v Netherlands | July 3, 3:50am – 6:00am | TVNZ+ UEFA EURO 2024 – Round of 16 – Austria v Turkey | July 3, 6:50am – 9am | TVNZ+ & DUKE | | UEFA EURO 2024 – Quarter Finals – Spain v Germany | July 6, 3:50am – 6:00am | TVNZ+ UEFA EURO 2024 – Quarter Finals – Portugal v France | July 6, 6:50am – 9am | TVNZ+ UEFA EURO 2024 – Quarter Finals – England v Switzerland | July 7, 3:50am – 6:00am | TVNZ+ UEFA EURO 2024 – Quarter Finals – TBA | July 7, 6:50am – 9am | TVNZ+ | | UEFA EURO 2024 – Semi Finals – TBA | July 10, 6:50am – 9am | TVNZ+ UEFA EURO 2024 – Semi Finals – TBA | July 11, 6:50am – 9am | TVNZ+ | | UEFA EURO 2024 – Final – TBA | July 15, 6:50am – 9am | TVNZ+
Slovenia going through would have been amazing but Spain-Germany and France-Portugal on Saturday morning, those are the kind of ties you want to see at a major tournament.
Ronaldo own goal to win it for France and more tears would be delightful.
With Slovakia, Georgia, and now Slovenia out, Romania are the only team left in this round of 16 with a chance to produce a big upset.
Didn't even lay a glove on them really. Netherlands far too good, cut through them time and time again.
Oh well, at least it means all the quarter finals will now be closely contested.
Austria v Turkey was something else, as early as the 70th minute it looked like both teams had played two periods of extra time and were totally desperate and exhausted.
I think Austria resorted to desperation long balls too early. So will probably regret not being able to remain a little more composed and structured in the middle of the second half.
Great save at the end but the shot should've been better. Absolutely incredible moment though.
Austria v Turkey was something else, as early as the 70th minute it looked like both teams had played two periods of extra time and were totally desperate and exhausted.
I think Austria resorted to desperation long balls too early. So will probably regret not being able to remain a little more composed and structured in the middle of the second half.
Great save at the end but the shot should've been better. Absolutely incredible moment though.
Great to see the massive, noisy and colourful Turkish support in Germany. It's like the stars aligning for Turkish supporters with such a big Turkish immigrant community in Germany. "Turkish people form the largest ethnic minority in Germany. They also form the largest Turkish population in the Turkish diaspora. 1.3 million with Turkish citizenship. 2.9 million with a migration background from Turkey." Turkey's games in the Euros would sell out with supporters living in Germany alone but many would have relies travelling over, sleeping in the spare room, on the floor, tent in the garden etc. Being of Dutch ancestry myself (Dutch-born father, mum who was half Dutch/ half British) I can't wait for Sunday morning's game. Finishing third in their group has turned out well for the Dutch - getting some easier knock-out matches like Romania and Turkey. Turkey - easier on paper but hard with the massive local support.
Updated TVNZ broadcast schedule with more games added live on the Duke channel due to demand (two quarter-finals, both semis and the final). My observation is that many older people struggle with things like TVNZ+ I helped a football crazy 71 year-old friend get the TVNZ+ app on his smart TV recently. He wouldn't have managed it on his own - had to create a Samsung account for him online, then pair his TV with TVNZ+ etc. Not having a smart TV myself, I bought a "Smart Freeview Box" just for the Euros which has apps like TVNZ+ - works a treat with no lagging, much better than watching on a laptop. I've downloaded the FIFA+ and UEFA.TV apps too. UEFA.TV (it's free) is good for interviews, match previews etc. we don't get on TVNZ+ The Champions League Final in full and extended highlights of all UEFA club tournament matches are there too for free.
UEFA EURO 2024 – Quarter Finals – Spain v Germany | July 6, 3:50am – 6:00am | TVNZ+ UEFA EURO 2024 – Quarter Finals – Portugal v France | July 6, 6:50am – 9am | TVNZ+ & Duke UEFA EURO 2024 – Quarter Finals – England v Switzerland | July 7, 3:50am – 6:00am | TVNZ+ & Duke UEFA EURO 2024 – Quarter Finals – Netherlands v Turkey | July 7, 6:50am – 9am | TVNZ+ | | UEFA EURO 2024 – Semi Finals – TBA | July 10, 6:50am – 9am | TVNZ+ & Duke UEFA EURO 2024 – Semi Finals – TBA | July 11, 6:50am – 9am | TVNZ+ & Duke | | UEFA EURO 2024 – Finals – TBA | July 15, 6:50am – 9am | TVNZ+ & Duke
Turkish player Demiral sidelined for the next two games after celebrating with some racist/political gestures. Bellingham no banned for the next game for grabbing his balls, just need to pay 20K euros.
Turkish player Demiral sidelined for the next two games after celebrating with some racist/political gestures. Bellingham no banned for the next game for grabbing his balls, just need to pay 20K euros.
All that mad lark that Europe is a settled liberal bureaucrat democracy! It’s part museum, part active geothermal field where past fissures still threaten to erupt. And place where there are kebabs. (Omg. Here they are so rare and limited. And I have seen quite a few pesto kebabs as an option of late. Which is meat, cabbage and pesto sauce in a pita. And it’s never lamb as a regular option. Or hummus.)
Erdogan changes his schedule to come to the next game. Mbappe speaking out against the far right. Occupied and in an hot war Ukraine played in the tournament. When Poland co-hosted Russian fans turned up with a tifo This is Russia. Rudiger getting attacked by far right groups for being Muslim and in the German team as a woke travesty. Hungary, whose government run anti-LGBT culture war as standard with everything.
Was sad to see that. They played an entertaining game!
That Pepe vs Dembele 50m sprint duel was something and Pepe won! He’s 41, this must have been his last game for Portugal. I hope they can get soon past Ronaldo. No goal, no defensive work, no press, he is a waste of space. Portugal have some exciting players. They looked the better team. I don’t like how France play football, seems successful, but watching them is painful.
Spain look like the team to beat at thisstage of the tournament. They bossed a very good German side. France could struggle against the speed of the Spanish youngters!